South Korea Sees Surge in US Students Amid Internationalisation Drive

By Ezra January 2, 2025
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South Korea’s growing internationalisation efforts, coupled with the global rise of K-pop and cultural exports, are attracting a rising number of students from the United States, a new report from Korea University and Underwood International College reveals.

The study highlights a remarkable increase in the number of US students choosing South Korea for their higher education, with numbers rising eight-fold since the early 2000s. Data from the Institute of International Education in the US and South Korea’s Ministry of Justice show that the number of American students studying in the country surged from 834 in 2002/03 to 5,909 in 2022/23.

This growth follows a broader trend of increased international students in South Korea, with the sector rebounding quickly after the pandemic. According to the report, these trends solidify South Korea’s position as a key player in global student exchange.

Several factors are driving this influx, the report suggests. The K-pop phenomenon, along with internationally successful television series like Netflix’s Squid Game, are significantly enhancing South Korea’s global appeal. The authors of the report, Kyuseok Kim and Edward Choi, noted that students are increasingly motivated by cultural immersion rather than just academic or career opportunities.

South Korea’s internationalisation strategy, which began in the 1990s, is also paying dividends. The country aims to welcome 300,000 international students by 2027, having invested in educational exchanges and expanded the number of English-taught programmes.

The report also points out shifting attitudes among US students, who are now more interested in short-term study abroad opportunities that offer cultural experiences alongside academic learning. As South Korea’s educational appeal strengthens, future international education providers are expected to cater more to the demand for culturally integrated, shorter programmes.

Source: THE PIE NEWS

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